1. Keep up-to-date by reading information provided by the school (e.g. newsletters, emails, social media). Attend events if you can (e.g. information evenings, assemblies, open classrooms, P&C meetings).

2. Accept offers for parent/teacher interviews or make an appointment to meet with your child’s teacher. Talk about your child’s needs and what they are learning. Ask about ways you can support your child’s learning at home.

3. Offer your help at the school, such as in art classes, reading groups, tuckshop, and school garden programs. This gives you an inside view of your child’s learning environment and shows them that you are interested in their school. Ask for opportunities to share your expertise.

4. Monitor screen time and sleep. Maintain ground rules to ensure consistency. Children going through growth spurts need lots of sleep without interruptions from phones and social media so that they can maintain focus on learning, when required.

5. Support good relationships. Children tend to do better when they get along with their teacher and classmates. Be positive about school and respectful of teachers. Support good relationships with friends and classmates.

6. Read with your child at every opportunity (e.g. road signs, magazines, food labels, picture books, websites, board games).

7. Ask your child about their learning and school day. Ask them what they enjoyed most about their school

day or the most interesting thing they learned. This shows your child that you are interested in their learning and their wellbeing. If your school uses digital technologies to share classroom learning, use this information to open conversations, especially when they can’t remember.

8. Learn about the world together. Create opportunities for your child to learn new things by exploring areas of interest, participating in family, community and cultural activities, and going to libraries, museums, and sporting and cultural events together.

9. Practise what your child is learning at school through activities at home. Cooking is great for counting and weighing. Card games can help them practise counting, addition or matching.

10. Access local services including local community health services, parenting programs and libraries which can support your child’s learning and development.

11. Believe in your child’s potential. Praise your child for trying hard (not just doing well) and celebrate all successes even little ones. Let your child know you think learning and school are important and that trying hard matters.

12. Sign up online to mobile device apps such as QSchools and QParents to receive information about your child and their school.

13. Explore the resources listed below for ideas on helping your child to learn and other topics you may find helpful as a parent.

Ways to support your child’s learning Prep to Year 2

Useful resources ` Early Years count website

www.earlyyearscount.earlychildhood.qld.gov.au/age-group/5-8/ Tips, activities and information to support children’s early learning and development.

` Learning Potential website www.learningpotential.gov.au Ideas to support your child’s learning from birth to Year 12.

` Parent information www.education.gov.au/parent-information Information on parent engagement in learning, Australian Government initiatives and programs that benefit parents.

` Raising Children network http://raisingchildren.net.au/school_age/school_age.html Advice and ideas on a broad range of topics of interest to parents.

` ALEA Little People’s Literacy Learning Modules https://www.alea.edu.au/publicresources/resources-for-parents-and-community/little-peoples-literacy-learning Examples of activities parents can enjoy with their child. Activities are designed with an emphasis on learning through collaborative play and shared discovery.

` P&Cs Qld https://pandcsqld.com.au/ The peak parent body which represents the interests of state school parents and citizens associations throughout Queensland.